Don’t Worry, You’ll Get Used To It
Dear Priscilla Bennett Friends,
Here it is the middle of the week and June—soon summer will officially be here, and Father’s Day is this coming Sunday. Our daughters are organizing a family lunch for Harry. It’s going to be at Jennifer’s my eldest daughter’s house—a ten-minute drive—and all I have to do is bring my homemade cherry pie. We’re leaving Reilly at home with some extra carrots to chew on. He gets rattled around too many people, and all he really wants is the two of us. I’m so excited to catch up and see my new grandson who’s three months old. Having a boy in the family is a first, and Harry is thrilled. Jennifer and her husband named him after my father, John, who must be turning over in his grave with joy.
Back to the book, my first writing class was helpful in many ways. My teacher recommended books to read and gave us short exercises to write in class and then read out loud. I was terrified. The pressure of performing within a time frame almost paralyzed me along with the thought that I would have to read what I’d just written. Two students went before me, and the rest of the class gave their feedback on what they had heard. “Priscilla, you’re next,” said the teacher, and I felt like I was back in high school having to perform. I had done well in school but never liked to be in the spotlight—more shy than outgoing. I couldn’t believe that at my age, the same issues still existed in the school setting, and I was anxious. I had always been confident being a nurse, wife and mother. How would I measure up to these other writers? What would they think? Did I really have something worthwhile to say? “Don’t worry, you’ll get used to it,” said the young student next to me. She smiled with purple lips and cracked her gum. “Oh, thanks, I’m fine,” I said, as I cleared my voice to speak.
Thank you, my Priscilla Bennett Friends, for listening and support. Please visit my website at www.priscillabennett.com to read this blog, make a comment, write your own story and get helpful information. Remember the Priscilla Bennett Pledge to help someone by starting a conversation, giving a kind word in the grocery store or parking lot—a touch on the shoulder. We all have SOMETHING TO BE BRAVE FOR.
You are in my thoughts,
PRISCILLA BENNETT XOXO